Since 1902, St. Elmo Steak House has served Indianapolis from the Braden Building in the Wholesale District, right where you are now. Opened in 1902, it's the city's oldest steakhouse, born when Joe Stahr christened the place after Erasmus of Formia, St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors. For generations its specialty shrimp cocktail has earned wide recognition across the American culinary scene.
The restaurant's story reads in ownership dates: in 1947 Stahr sold to local tavern operator Burt Condon, who sold it six months later to brothers Harry, Sam, and Ike Roth in 1948. In 1956 Sam and Ike left the business to Harry and new partner Isadore "Izzy" Rosen, who co-owned it until 1986, when St. Elmo was sold to local entrepreneurs Stephen "Steve" Huse, founder of Noble Roman's, and Jeff Dunaway for US$2.5 million. Steve Huse's son, Craig Huse, joined as a minority owner in 1997 and operates the restaurant.
By 2020 St. Elmo ranked among the 25 highest-grossing independent restaurants in the U.S., with annual sales exceeding $21 million. Picture the Braden Building anchoring this corner of the Wholesale District, home to the city's oldest steakhouse.